Navigating Boeing's Starliner's Return Journey
Boeing Urges Public to Halt Referring to Starliner ISS Test as a Failure
Boeing's Starliner Calypso finally made its way back to terrestrial grounds on September 7, 2024, sans its crew. NASA opted out of utilizing Starliner for the return of astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams, primarily due to concerns over its propulsion system and thruster glitches [1][2].
Instead, the pioneering duo spent nearly nine months aboard the International Space Station before they touched down on Earth on March 18, 2025, aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule during the Crew-9 mission [1][4][5].
The Road Ahead: A Second Test Flight?
As of now, details about a second test flight for Boeing's Starliner remain elusive in the search results. However, the setbacks encountered during its maiden crewed mission — thruster malfunctions, helium leaks, and more — are undeniably being tackled. These hurdles are undergoing rigorous testing and analysis to enhance the spacecraft's safety for succeeding missions [1][2].
Impending experiments and evaluations are expected to rectify the existing problems before moving forward with regular flights. The successful, albeit uncrewed, return of Starliner and the valuable insights gleaned from its extended mission will pave the way for future enhancements and test flights [1][2].
The Challenges and Solutions
Thruster Breakdowns:
Five out of Starliner's 28 reaction-control system (RCS) thrusters refused to cooperate during its approach to the ISS. Engineers managed to revive four of these thrusters, but concerns about their performance during reentry led to the decision to return the spacecraft without humans [1][2].
Helium Leaks:
Before launch, a minor helium leak was spotted, and more were detected post-launch. While manageable, these leaks demanded further scrutiny [1][2].
Design Vulnerabilities:
The mission shed light on potential design flaws, such as the possibility of multiple thruster failures complicating the deorbiting process. This led to the conception of additional deorbit procedures [2].
These issues and their resolutions will be pivotal in preparing Starliner for future crewed missions. Stay tuned as we continue to follow the ups and downs of space travel!
Connect with us:
For more cosmic adventures, don't forget to follow us on X and visit our dedicated Spaceflight page on Gizmodo!
- The future of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is being shaped by the challenges of its maiden crewed mission, including the delaying of its return due to thruster malfunctions and helium leaks.
- The spaceflight industry is hardly ignoring the high-lighting of design vulnerabilities within Starliner, as it emphasizes the need for improvements in its reaction-control system thrusters and potential deorbit procedures for succeeding missions.
- Advancements in technology will play a crucial role in addressing the issues faced by Starliner, as engineers work diligently to rectify the thruster breakdowns, address the helium leaks, and ensure the safety of human spaceflight in the future.
- Space travel continues to push the boundaries of science and technology, making every successful return journey, such as that of SpaceX's Crew Dragon, a significant milestone in the ongoing pursuit of securing a robust space travel infrastructure.